Gateway students give leader of Connecticut regents board for higher education an earful

NEW HAVEN -- There was nothing theoretical about the discussion Friday at Gateway Community College, where students had a chance to vent to Robert Kennedy, interim president of the new Board of Regents for Higher Education.

One by one, they talked about adjunct teachers who don't have time to mentor, a shortage of tutors, a crowded shuttle bus where students sit in the aisle, and classes offered infrequently, making it difficult to complete a degree.

Gateway President Dorsey Kendrick deftly handled all the concerns, promising to correct those things that she could, but also explaining fiscal pressures on the state.

The block grants to the 17 institutions under the purview of the regents board -- four state universities and 12 community colleges -- have seen their budgets drop from $329 million in 2008 to $292 million this year and $284.5 million in fiscal 2013.

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One student suggested the school hire more full-time faculty so they would have time to advise and mentor students.

Kendrick said she has 358 adjuncts and 109 full-time faculty at Gateway and she could only close the $2.7 million budget gap she faced this year by not filling vacant positions.

"We have lost faculty, but we can't replace them," she said. She said her main mission is "to create access for every student who has the desire and tenacity" to earn a college degree, although there may be shortages in some areas.

Kennedy said longer term, he would like see more full-time teachers in the college system.

"Maybe not a hard number, but a majority of full-time faculty might be reasonable. ... As we saw here today, there is a tremendous need for additional services and courses for students," Kennedy said.

The issue was brought up earlier this week by faculty at Central Connecticut State University, and now Kennedy heard about it from a student perspective at Gateway.

A single mother of two children under age 5 said she had hoped to complete a degree in dietetics using the GI Bill, but after she was three-quarters of the way through she couldn't finish because the last two courses were only offered at night and she had child care problems.

"I wasted a year of the GI Bill that I will never get back," she said.

Kennedy said it's a problem if the increasing number of returning veterans are shut out of courses. "What a shame," he said.

Kendrick has a full plate, talking at one point about a housing arrangement she is trying to negotiate to help some students. "I recognize we have students that are homeless," she said, while the school is also looking at providing food to hungry students. "If your physiological needs are not being met, you're are not going to be interested in Socrates," she said.

Even those who had specific complaints, were clearly happy with Kendrick and her efforts on their behalf.

"The faculty and staff here have been absolutely terrific in helping me in all areas of my life. I consider them my family," said Mario Fasano, 52, who is back in school earning two degrees and helping to mentor other students.

Kennedy came to Gateway as part of a tour of all the colleges under the regents board, which won't be fully up and running until January.

He said in his trips so far, "I haven't seen a college as responsive to student needs as I have seen here," referring to Kendrick.